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Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

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Old 06-29-2009, 11:23 AM
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Default Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

Hello everyone, I'm kind of new here.

I searched the threads and really couldn't find anything identical to my problem.

I have a 99' JDM type-R swap in a 92 hatch. When push started it runs beautifully. But when the key is turned to start it, it will not start up. I also noticed when it is started that if i turn on the headlights, or any of the climate control the engine bogs, and/or shuts off.

I replaced the fuel filter, and the fuel pump engages every time. I don't really know what it could be, but it seems to be something electrical, maybe a short??

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks, Ben
Old 06-29-2009, 11:25 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

starter?
ignition?
battery?
grounds?
Old 06-29-2009, 11:25 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

Sounds like a short in the electrical. Is the starter kicking?
Old 06-29-2009, 11:26 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

hmmm just to narrow some things down what kind of ecu are you running ?
,did you check all your fuse's ? all grounds ?
Old 06-29-2009, 11:27 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

Originally Posted by ek-g6
Sounds like a short in the electrical. Is the starter kicking?
thats what i thought first but when he said when the headlights and a/c when on car shuts off sounds like a short some where
Old 06-29-2009, 11:28 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

starter turns fine, battery is strong. All grounds are there, i could go over them, or run them to again to double check.

Ecu is the stock p73
Old 06-29-2009, 12:00 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

if you're sure all the grounds are there, try doubling up the ground cables so there is a thicker amount of wire at each ground point. it sounds like the ground points may be insufficient in that there is not physically enough wire to carry the necessary current to the chassis for a good ground. this problem sounds purely electrical since the ecu has nothing to do with your headlights.
Old 06-29-2009, 12:04 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

what happens when you try to turn it with the key? Is the motor cranking over? You get a fast :click::click::click: or just one solid :click: ??
Old 06-29-2009, 12:36 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

no click at all the engine just keeps cranking over without starting. The starter isnt the problem it's turning over very strong, the car just wont start. hmm I'll go home and double up on some grounds to see if that helps. I'll update in a couple hours.

thanks, Ben
Old 06-29-2009, 12:42 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

either a mean short by itself orrrrr

a short somewhere and a fuel problem if its cranking and starter and battery are good i would check the fuel

fuel lines
pump
injectors
rail

just a thought
Old 06-29-2009, 12:43 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

it cant be fuel lines, or pump or injectors, or anything with fuel....

if the car runs when its pop started, its nothing with fuel. Its something in your ignition.
Old 06-29-2009, 01:26 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

By the symptoms you have stated it sounds like a broken ring gear on the flywheel. The ring gear is just spinning on the flywheel. When you crank it is the timing belt moving?
Old 06-29-2009, 01:29 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

does anyone have a pic of a GSR or anything with the thermostat ground and tranny ground? Mine looks ok, but maybe i'm missing something.
Old 06-29-2009, 02:18 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

yup the timing belt is moving, the engine is cranking over. I'm going to go tinker with it a little bit more.
Old 06-29-2009, 02:40 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

When you try to crank it is there spark or fuel? Maybe when its in the run position you have spark and fuel but not when cranking over wich would be why you can push start it but not start it with a key maybe a bad wire or somthing wasnt wired right.
Old 06-29-2009, 02:42 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

Did it ever start with a key?

EDIT: My bad - thought you meant it turns on with a pushbutton start (and thats the way you always turn it on)

Last edited by CJR; 06-29-2009 at 02:43 PM. Reason: My bad - thought you meant it turns on with a pushbutton start.
Old 06-29-2009, 08:05 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

ah yeah thats true about the fuel.

its probably something stupid and when u figure it out your gonna be pissed cause it was so simple all along.
personal experience proves it lol
Old 06-29-2009, 08:18 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

ignition switch.
Old 06-29-2009, 09:29 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

sounds like your power wire from the fuse box came off your batt terminal. check that out.
Old 06-30-2009, 06:34 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

yea it will start after A LOT!!! of cranking. eventually it kind of sputters, then will start up. It's a weird situation, and I'm sure it will be something small and stupid by the time I (or someone else) find whats wrong haha. I'm bringing it over to my mechanic today, so I'll keep everyone updated with what was wrong. I'll check the wire from my fuse box as well. I'm going to go through some of the wiring again after work before i bring it to my mechanics as well.

Thanks for all of your help!

-Ben
Old 06-30-2009, 07:01 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

Ignition control module inside the Distributor. On my other 1994 honda civic ex it would start fine but some days it would just crank and crank unless I let it sit. What it was is a icm (not sure if thats what it was called for sure but same kinda thing) it tells the coil when to fire.
Old 06-30-2009, 07:23 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

hmm that's probably worth a try! I'll see if my buddy has any laying around.

Thanks!
Old 07-01-2009, 05:46 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

Ok, tried a few things at my buddies house I.E. timing, played around with the main relay, searched for vacuum leaks, made sure it has fuel pressure and spark. Then it got too late so i just left the car there for him to tinker with. Hes going to try and just chip another ecu with a type r map he already created, and then see if it runs. I'll keep you guys updated!
Old 07-01-2009, 01:57 PM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

let me know what solves your problem cuz i have same exact problem
Old 07-04-2009, 11:48 AM
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Default Re: Civic wont start on its own, but runs like a top with a push start

no updates yet??? sounds exactly what my cars doing and weve gone over timing so many times checked everything


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